The investment supports job creation and advanced manufacturing opportunities in the region
Varun Beverages, one of the world’s largest PepsiCo franchisees, has announced a $50 million investment in a state-of-the-art Pepsi manufacturing facility in Kiswishi City, the first private Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The plant – one of the largest consumer-focused foreign direct investments in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s history – will create thousands of jobs and expand New York-based PepsiCo’s brands in the fast-growing African country.
The Pepsi beverage plant will be built on a 15-hectare site in the Kiswishi City SEZ on the N1 Highway, with easy access to the rapidly growing population of Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga Province and beyond. Kiswishi is strategically positioned to improve logistical efficiency and economic development across the region, a growth engine for PepsiCo and Varun Beverages.
“Varun’s expansion will meet the increasing demand for Pepsi beverages in the Democratic Republic of Congo and support our long-term growth trajectory in Africa,” said Ravi Kant Jaipuria, Chaiman of Varun Beverages. “Our investment in the Kiswishi City SEZ is an example of our trust in Congolese consumers and our commitment to sustainable production.”
Backed by American, New Zealand, British and Norwegian investors, the Kiswishi City SEZ is a project of Rendeavour, Africa’s largest new city developer, whose mixed-use cities in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and Zambia attract billions of dollars in foreign and domestic investment, as well as tens of thousands of created jobs for young Africans.
“We are pleased to welcome Varun Beverages and Pepsi to the Kiswishi City SEZ, which will create thousands of jobs and strengthen the economic landscape of Haut-Katanga Province,” said Yannick Kitambo, Director of Operations, Kiswishi City SEZ. “This Investment is a testament to our commitment to making Kiswishi the most attractive location for foreign direct investment in the DRC. With its safe and predictable business environment, Kiswishi is an engine for growth in the DRC.”
Kitambo commended the Special Economic Zones Authority ( ) and the Ministry of Industry for creating a conducive investment environment through the country’s reliable SEZ framework. Other companies in the Kiswishi City SEZ include Congo Petrol and Queen Energy. The first phase of Kiswishi Condominium, Kimia, is 95% sold out.
Kitambo added: “Thanks to the professional support of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly the Office of the President, the Ministry of Industry and the Agency for Special Economic Zones, we expect further foreign direct investment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, aimed at promoting the socio-economic development of the country country will contribute.”
Über Varun Beverages Limited (www.varunbeverages.com)
Varun Beverages Limited is one of the world’s largest franchise bottlers of PepsiCo beverages. The company operates in multiple regions in Asia and Africa and has an extensive portfolio of carbonated and non-carbonated beverages. Varun Beverages entered Africa in 2007 when the company acquired the PepsiCo franchise in Mozambique. Since then, the company has expanded its operations to Zambia, Morocco, Zimbabwe, South Africa and. More recently, it commissioned a Pepsi manufacturing plant at the Maluku SEZ near Kinshasa.
About Rendeavour (www.rendeavour.com)
Rendeavour is the largest new city building company in Africa. Backed by American, Norwegian, New Zealand and British investors, the Rendeavour Cities are among the largest construction projects in Africa and are hubs for business, housing, education and recreation in an infrastructure-ready economic zone.
Current development in Rendeavour is estimated to be worth more than $5 billion. 150 businesses, schools with more than 6,000 students and 10,000 mixed-income apartments are already occupied or under construction.
Rendeavor has created more than 50,000 jobs in the last five years, including the largest call center in East Africa, where 5,000 young Kenyans work for major American customers such as United Airlines, JetBlue and Amazon. A further 4,000 call center jobs will be confirmed by 2026.
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2519423/Rendeavour.jpg
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